Hospital buys two new humidicribs

PREMATURE babies at Fairfield Hospital's Special Care Nursery will continue to be cared for to the best standard after the hospital bought two new humidicribs.

Premature babies at Fairfield Hospital‚Äôs Special Care Nursery will continue to receive excellent standards of care after the hospital purchased two new humidicribs.

PREMATURE babies at Fairfield Hospital's Special Care Nursery will continue to be cared for to the best standard after the hospital bought two new humidicribs.

The purchase of this new equipment was made possible by the Lions Club of Fairfield, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and the Mamma Lena and Dino Gustin Foundation, which contributed $60,000.

The head of paediatrics at Fairfield Hospital, Laurence McCleary, said the humidicribs were an important piece of equipment and featured the latest technology in premature infant care.

"The humidicribs will allow us to treat very low-weight babies [under two kilograms] who would otherwise have difficulty regulating and maintaining their own temperature," he said.

"The Perspex environment also means the babies are treated in a soundproof, sterile setting away from people with possible infections or bacteria and can be provided with a controlled amount of oxygen."

Dr McCleary said because the new humidicribs were transparent, parents and carers could see the baby in its environment until it was ready to maintain its own body temperature.